MY TOP INSTAGRAM PHOTO STORIES

Well it’s almost a year since I started blogging. And a little over a year since I got hooked to Instagram. Totally love it. Among all handles that present my travel profile to the world this amazing photo universe is the coolest. WHY? Because I love the visual world. Often I feel my pictures vivify emotions that I experience in every land, making my words fly. Ok I’m exaggerating here, but you get the gist. We often get high about a place at the very beginning when we are visually seduced. So while my personal favorites are many, here are my top Instagram photo stories basis the number of amazing people who showed their love for it.

TOP INSTAGRAM PHOTO STORIES

Where else could I have packed in 15 years of travel stories? And met some amazing travelers & photographers too. Where else could I have seen the beautiful captures of streets and the mystical black and white world? The possibilities of visual storytelling are captivating. Hope you enjoy my share.

#15 HIKING TRIP, CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY

It’s a terrain marked by nature’s many moods and even the transitions that civilizations, cultures & religion brought. Whether you are up in the air on a Balloon ride or then walking through the valleys, there are new colors, shapes and secrets to discover. If you make Cappadocia your halt, go take a hike for sure.

#14 CASA BATTLO, BARCELONA, SPAIN

We all need some madness in our lives to keep us awake and ever alive. Barcelona has tons of it with a genius called Antoni Gaudi. I rather title the walk I took on this busy stretch as, ‘A street called Gaudi’. Casa Battlo was the standout creation for me in the day, evening and night. It is plastered with lime mortar that is enveloped with a mosaic of colored glass & ceramic. So would you live here if I told you it was a house?

Water terraces that were known to have healing powers, cotton clouds made of rock, clear pools that are mineral rich…here is a pretty sight for all who wonder about the mysteries of nature. Make sure you carry a swimsuit if you want to take a dip and I’ve heard it’s a treat if you walk up from the base, rather than heading straight to the top.

#12 JUNGFRAU, SWITZERLAND

Of course you have heard about the Alps and Jungfrau is as pretty as are the homes that paint a delightful picture. Whether you are heading up or on your way back, the journey is scattered with all that makes you wish the concrete jungle were far far away.

#11 ENROUTE TO INTERLAKEN, SWITZERLAND

Little did I know this trip would give me my first magical moment with snow. Well in my excitement I remember I took off my gloves once I reached the top of Jungfrau and watched my fingers freeze for almost 2 minutes. Never did stay in Interlaken but have that planned for the many more trips to be made to Swiss country.

#10 SELF REALISATION LAKE SHRINE, CALIFORNIA, USA

A meditation garden, temple & spiritual destination it was founded by an awakened soul, Paramahansa Yogananda. I stopped over here after 3 days of adrenalin rush in Los Angeles. Even a few hours here is deeply calming and joyful. Things of beauty in the midst of greens do that always, don’t they?

#9 ALHAMBRA PALACE, GRANADA, SPAIN

Let me warn you that walking into this royal residence by the Nasrid Kings, will mean for sure an evening of neck massage. What else do you expect when you are dazzled more often by what’s right above. The ceilings in many rooms of the palace are pretty but this one was for me the showstopper. I was most amazed by the niches and intricacy of relief work. How did they do it I wondered!

#8 STREETS OF KUSADASI, TURKEY

This was taken from one of the shops that drew me in, when I saw statues of whirling dervishes. And I turned around to find that unmistakable blue in the nazar boncoğu (evil eye protector) and in the door beyond. It seemed like an invitation to discover a mystical world.

#7 SUNRISE IN THE DESERT, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

It’s true. All first time experiences are mind blowing. And this was again another first, this time in a camp in the sand dune region of colors and camels. I had a ‘sky going wild’ shot of sunset just the evening before and was hoping much, that sunrise would play out its best scene. What a morning!

#6 MONACO, FRANCE

This tiny city-state as it is called is more famous for its wealthy residences & casinos. But a trip here for me meant walking the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, admiring art installations, savoring some awesome wine & cooling down with colors so aquamarine, that well I wish I’d time to sun soak too.

#5 VILLAGE IN PUSHKAR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

I wish I had the cool look this 80-year-old granny floored me with, when I decided to find stories in her village. I was taking pictures of her grand children, when she walked up and asked for her shot to be taken that too when smoking up. Some inspiration!

#4 KINNAUR-KAILASH MOUNTAINS, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Stories from the mountains abound. But none had prepared me to watch a sea of green, turn into sheets of white overnight. One month too early, Kalpa got snowfall that made this peak (part of the Himalayan range) so utterly divine. At an altitude of 5242 m it is a trek that is definitely worth doing once.

#3 SANTORINI, GREECE

The Cyclades in the Aegean Sea has some spectacular islands but the prettiest for me was Santorini. Taking on lavishly the blue & white colors of the Greek flag, homes in Oia built along the Northwest part of the volcanic caldera are unusual and much photographed. I loved the mock door in this one. Pretty.

#2 KANHA NATIONAL PARK, INDIA

Kanha is a forest that surprises you in every turn. With a wide range of flowering plants and a terrain that moves from a dense cover of trees to open meadows, it brings to life the fresh colors of nature. I loved the reddish tones of the open stretches. Found this ultra curious little fella and couldn’t resist even as the older female held on tightly.

#1 ROUSSILLON, PROVENCE, FRANCE

Ochre, red, reddish-brown…the many shades of joy that dominate this village make it a must visit if you are in the region. I must admit my numero uno picture comes from just a few hours of experiencing Roussillon. Imagine the possibilities if I had stayed over. You can read a bit though about what I loved here in an earlier post titled 5 things to do in Gordes. Punched in bold, for my next visit.

I hope I tempted you enough and you visit these amazing destinations soon. Do drop by my INSTAGRAM feed to get a glimpse of many more captures. Would love to see & hear some of your photo stories too.

Reading about a land, its people, their culture is one way of knowing more. But it doesn't tell you about the surprises that await you. There are hidden treasures that can be discovered only when you set foot.
Through Pebblewalks I wish to share these nuggets. Told by people who live there. Seen when you turn around a corner JLT. Not just that, but also experiences that are a must-not-miss.
Would love to have you walk along.